NJ S2475

Hospital and clinical laboratories in New Jersey must offer hepatitis C screening tests to individuals born between January 1, 1945 and December 31, 1965 when providing outpatient laboratory services, along with verbal and written CDC policy information.

Laboratories must obtain patient consent before testing and transmit results to the referring health care provider; hospitals must designate a process to contact individuals who test positive and encourage follow-up care.

Out-of-network laboratories performing the screening must be reimbursed by health insurers at in-network rates, and laboratories cannot bill patients beyond applicable copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles.

The Commissioner of Health must adopt regulations allowing laboratory sites with federal CLIA Certificates of Waiver to perform FDA-licensed rapid point-of-care hepatitis C tests.

The Commissioner must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year evaluating the number of screenings conducted and individuals accessing care after positive tests.